My first Pan - 1957 FLH

[elcapitan]

Hello all, I've been lurking and trying to learn as much as a person could without having a pan. Well, tonight I finally scored a pan - 57 FLH. It seems to run strong but it back fires in the intermediate circuit. How are super E's on pans?

[Wrong Road]

That's a great day! Congratulations!! Looks awesome. Enjoy!!!

[Bosheff]

Does it backfire through the carb or the exhaust?....bosheff

[DuoGlide62]

Congratulations ! Nice lookin' '57. From the discoloration of your exhaust I'm leaning towards a lean mixture. Possible intake leak.
Keep us posted on what you find out. ..Rick

[elcapitan]

I tore the a/c off last night and the filter is soaked in gas/carbon from back firing. the throat of the carb as a film of black crap. I'd say from this that it's back firing through the carb. I also have an exhaust leak at the rear spigot. Not sure if it's broke or needs a wrench put to it.

Lots to learn!!!

[59Panman]

Your backfiring is most likely caused by the leak at the rear exhaust sucking in the cool air caused by the vacuum.

[Cotten]

Welcome, Elcapitan!

Your machine looks like enormous fun!

After you replace your manifold O-rings (get some JAMES viton if you can)...
And bubble-test (please try search function)...

Personally,...

I'd hang that fishtail on the wall.

....Cotten

[windweaver]

great looking bike. hope you have many happy miles with it. WW

[james]

Hey I like the fish tail, gives it a little what it don't have.
Not sure I like all that color on the muffler. Not a happy muffler.

Jim

[elcapitan]

I tore apart the carb last night and found a bunch of crap in the bowl. You could see where the gas had started to varnish. The previous owner had only ridden the bike 300-400 miles in the last 6 years. After cleaning the carb, reassembling and reinstalling it, the bike still back fired. It was late last night when I had gotten to this point. This morning I got up and fixed the exhaust leak at the rear spigot. Luckily the spigot wasn't broken and I put a good coating of high temp permatex. It sealed right up. I need to start carrying a tube of this. I pulled the plugs and found that the rear electrode was smashed to within .004 of being closed. I then set that gap and now she purrs like a kitten.

She runs AWESOME!!!! I'm so excited!

-Cap